Notre Dame will have its hands full against Maryland

NASHVILLE -- In rolling to a 36-0 record this season, Notre Dame's women's basketball team hasn't just been beating opponents. They've been hammering them.

The average margin of victory for the Fighting Irish this year has been 26 points, and they've recorded 17 straight double-digit wins.

But tonight's Final Four opponent, Maryland, is one of just two teams all year that have come within 10 points of beating the Irish. The Terrapins lost 87-83 to Notre Dame in College Park, Md., on Jan. 27, in a game that Maryland overcome a 22-point deficit to take a brief lead midway through the second half.

"I think we just had a series of breakdowns, and all of a sudden, we weren't doing the defensive principles that we normally do," Irish forward Ariel Braker said. "We weren't rebounding and we were letting (Maryland forward) Alyssa Thomas have way too many touches on the ball.

"For us to blow a 20-point lead was kind of absurd. But at least we came out on top in the game."

Notre Dame guard Jewell Loyd hopes the experience of that close contest will help prepare her team for Thomas and the Irish Sunday.

"I think we came together at times and we kept our poise, and that helps because down the stretch, the Final Four is crucial games, crucial moments," Loyd said. "You need to stay together, and (we can) use this as something in our back pockets for this game coming up."

Pushing aside the pain: Injured Notre Dame forward Natalie Achonwa has been hobbling around on crutches after tearing her ACL in the team's Elite Eight win over Baylor, but she's not taking anything to dull the pain she feels during waking hours.

"I don't do too well (with pain-killers) so I'm going cold-turkey right now," Achonwa said. "It's painful, but the fact I get to be here with these other 12 girls makes it all worth it. The pain I feel overnight and when I get up in the morning … to know that I get to come and participate in a Final Four event like this and be with my teammates makes it all worth it."

Breakthrough moment? Notre Dame seniors like Achonwa, Braker and guard Kayla McBride are hoping the fourth time will be the charm when it comes to the Final Four.

The Fighting Irish have reached the Final Four in each of the past three seasons but haven't claimed the title in any of those years. Notre Dame lost in the national final to Texas A&M in 2011 and Baylor in the final in 2012 before falling to Connecticut in a national semifinal last year.

"I think it says a lot about this program, coach (Muffet McGraw) and the coaching staff, being able to get to four Final Fours," McBride said. "I know me and the seniors are excited to be here. Your senior year, you want to take it all in and have a lot of fun. That's my mindset, just taking it all in and trying to win the whole thing."

Notre Dame is just the sixth school to reach the NCAA Final Four in four straight years, joining Connecticut, LSU, Louisiana Tech, Stanford and Tennessee.

Stanford Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer holds up the net after the win against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the finals of the Stanford regional in the 2014 NCAA Tournament at at Maples Pavilion.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

Stanford Cardinal forward Mikaela Ruef (3) reacts with guard Amber Orrange (33) after a basket against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half in the finals of the Stanford regional in the 2014 NCAA Tournament at at Maples Pavilion.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

Stanford Cardinal forward Chiney Ogwumike (13) chases down the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half in the finals of the Stanford regional in the 2014 NCAA Tournament at at Maples Pavilion.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

Stanford Cardinal forward Mikaela Ruef (3) is called for traveling as she controls a rebound against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half in the finals of the Stanford regional in the 2014 NCAA Tournament at at Maples Pavilion.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina Tar Heels guard Danielle Butts (10) gestures after a teammate's three point basket against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half in the finals of the Stanford regional in the 2014 NCAA Tournament at at Maples Pavilion.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina Tar Heels guard Diamond DeShields (23) extends to defend the pass by Stanford Cardinal guard Amber Orrange (33) during the first half in the finals of the Stanford regional in the 2014 NCAA Tournament at at Maples Pavilion.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

The Maryland Terrapins pose for their team picture following the finals of the Louisville regional against the Louisville Cardinals in the 2014 NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM! Center.
Jamie Rhodes, USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame celebrates after defeating Baylor 88-69 in the regional final. Playing on their home court, the Fighting Irish improved to 36-0 and advanced to their fourth consecutive Final Four.
Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports